BE THE ONE in San Mateo County

Did you know one in four people have a mental health condition? Less than half are getting the help they need. Many people do not seek help for themselves or their loved ones because of the stigma surrounding mental illness and the fear that others will judge them.

The more we talk about mental health and how to best help someone, the more likely a loved one will feel empowered to seek help and recover.

Learn more about the County’s stigma reduction campaign and see why people across San Mateo County are pledging to “BE THE ONE” to help fight stigma surrounding mental illness.

Learn More ways you can Be The One to help eliminate stigma #BeTheOneSMC, #MentalHealthMonth.

Be The One Photo Gallery

Help my self….. – Marie, East Palo Alto

Give back – Alberto Salazar, East Palo Alto

Ask, “Are you ok?” – Dana, East Palo Alto

Listen with an open ear and an open hearth. – Amparo, East Palo Alto

Inspire people in recovery. – L’Tanya, East Palo Alto

Shear my story about my wellness & recovery……& to speak out against stigma when it comes to mental health & recovery. – Renee, East Palo Alto

Inform the community that hope is closer than one can imagine! – Sergio L., East Palo Alto Community Counseling Center

Scream, shout and say “Mental Illness”…#1 should not be left up to the individual who needs it!! #2 is Mental Illness regardless of how it came about!!! – Kimberly, East Palo Alto

Be the person I want to be to help others – Pedro, East Palo Alto

Reduce stigma through dialogue – Chauncey, East Palo Alto

…ask for help!! – Kava, East Palo Alto

Not stay quiet, and ask for help – Claudia, East Palo Alto

Help, advocate, educate! – Mona, East Palo Alto

Continue listening and give a hand – Jose, East Palo Alto

Listen and care wherever you are. – Lear, East Palo Alto

-Maata, Hayward

Help my self….. – Marie, East Palo Alto

Share that many of us are intelligent, have gone to school and have jobs. – Laura, Pacifica.

Unite people of all ethnic and racial diversity and help them not to suffer in silence. Love you all. – Sara E, Daly City.

Provide a safe space to listen and support – Vanessa, Daly City.

To stand up for my rights and everybody elses. – Karen, DC.

Smile with my heart. – Gary, San Bruno

I am not a stereotype! – Ayanna, San Mateo.

Let everyone know that mental illness is like any other disease. – Marlene, Daly City

Inspire people to educate themselves! – May, Daly City

Listen & offer support – Gloria Romero, San Mateo County

Respect yourself and be recovery. I hope it’s going on to your life. Wanna thank all the people helping me here in the North County community; be strong about your habit; time to change – Leslie Langit

Making a diff. – Maricris C., Sta. Ana

A person in the presence – Maya, San Carlos

Not ashamed; have confidence in yourself; never give up on yourself & your life – Mary, Daly City

compliment others when they help – Janet, Daly City

No judgement; see people not problems – Frank, Pacifica

End stigma minorities experience around mental health/substance use by helping imority families understand the importance of addressing these issues without placing blame on the individual and never giving up on that person – Shafia, San Bruno

Remove stigma around mental health – Kristie, San Mateo County; Spread awareness through art! – Jaelyn, Foster City; Make people laugh – Andrea, Foster City; Lend a helping hand to those who need it! – Devon, Millbrae; Make people happy with dancing – Hikaru, San Mateo; To spread the love to those who feel like they have none – Mimi, San Fransisco

Encourage people to seek help if they need it and discuss mental health more openly in the Filipino community – Athila, San Fransisco

STAY STRONG, Keep the hope! – Theresa, San Mateo

To hug and love you always – Burlingame

Learn more about mental health and substance abuse conditions – Denise, San Mateo

Spread love and tolerance – Michael, San Carlos

Make the difference through love and respect and the Lord – Louise, San Mateo

Stop my voices with my Jesus – Mirack, San Mateo

Bring it on! When it comes to making those who suffer well! – Sara, Colma

Treat people who have mental illness with compassion and respect! – Sharon, Belmont, EPA

Challenge negative stereotypes! – Joyce, San Bruno

Help spread awareness! – J, C and R, San Mateo.

Be There – Doris, San Jose

Enable self actualization and be respectful and supportive of those stigmatized or disenfranchised where permitted – Matt, HMB

Lovely initiative. I work for an organization (www.7cupsoftea.com) providing emotional support online via text chat for free. People connect anonymously and can share whatever is on their mind with volunteers trained in active listening. Very happy to support people in my own city in any way possible.

I will be the one to help young men like my son who are isolated and lonely in their illness and cannot help themselves.. I will do this by getting involved in the California Clubhouse which just opened in San Mateo http://www.californiaclubhouse.org a safe place for persons with mental illness to socialize and receive support to finish their education or join the workforce.